Q: Will a past firearms arrest impact green card petition?
A friend of mine is petitioning for her father to come to the U.S. She was born in the Philippines, came to the U.S. at 12, and is now 24. Her father was arrested a few years ago for possessing firearms, inherited from his deceased father, without a permit. He spent 2 days in jail before being released. Will this incident impact his ability to obtain a green card?
A: If the firearm-related offense constitutes a crime involving moral turpitude, which is one of the crimes of inadmissibility, the offense would render her father inadmissible. Schedule a private consultation with an immigration lawyer
A:
The firearms arrest could potentially affect your friend's father's green card petition, as immigration officials carefully review criminal history during the application process. The severity of impact often depends on specific details like the exact charges, disposition of the case, and whether it was classified as a misdemeanor or felony.
Given that he was only held for two days and the firearms were inherited, this suggests the offense might have been relatively minor. However, any weapons-related charges can raise red flags during immigration screening. Your friend's father should obtain all court documents related to the incident, including the final disposition, to include with his application.
I recommend working with an immigration attorney who can review the specific details of the case. They can help explain potential challenges, prepare necessary documentation, and develop strategies to address any concerns that might arise during the petition process. The attorney might also suggest obtaining character references or other supporting evidence to demonstrate that this was an isolated incident and does not reflect your friend's father's character or pose any security concerns.
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